I can recommend the new Kia Ceed. Looks not that bad, build quality is not much behind the germans, reasonable price.
We even drive a Kia Picanto (9000€) as a daily driver, as my company's parking lot is small and crowded and the car looks like Scarface after just one year.
Couldn't bear to park something nice in there.
Before that I drove a Subaru Impreza. The new one with the boxer-diesel under the bonnet is really nice. No diesel-vibrations, four wheel drive and not seen at every corner.
The Subaru XV is a taller alternative.
(Note to myself: Have to test-drive the new Subaru BRZ...
)
